Setting device for key-operated presettable counters



June 3, 1969 R. IRION ETAL 3,447,744

SETTING DEVICE FOR KEY-OPERATED PRESETTABLE COUNTERS Filed July 27, 1967 Sheet of s HUB Fig.2

N F 9 g A77} h INVf/VMRS Reinhard Irion, LL Kurf Wilhelm Krafi 9 VV/n fried Fischer R. IRION ET AL June 3, 1969 SETTING DEVICE FOR KEY-OPERATED-PRESETTABLE COUNTERS Sheet Filed July 27, 1967 INVNMRS mm 7% 06 hm .mMdw e m Rf ATTU/UV June 3, 1969 R. IRION ETAL 3,447,744

SETTING DEVICE FOR KEY-OPERATED PRESETTABLE COUNTERS Filed July 27, 1967 Sheet of 3 Fig 5 \171 1 8 muwro s Reinhard lrion, Kurf Wilhelm Krahe Wfnfried Fischer TTUHVEYS United States Patent US. Cl. 235-132 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A setting device for key-operated presettable counters wherein in order to set counters to new counts, the settable digit wheels are adjusted by means of setting keys. The adjustable digit wheels are turned back to the originally set count, by means of resetting cams and held in position. With the presetting operation, the setting drive for setting each digit wheel and the transfer clutch are disengaged to release the digit wheels and to eliminate the drive connection. The adjustable digit wheel is a two-part wheel connected by .a detent and is then adjusted in that the part provided with the cam is held in position by the resetting device, and the part provided with the digits is rotated under the action of the setting keys and snaps into position.

This invention relates to a setting device for presettable counters having count-setting keys and resetting means.

To set counters to new counts, the settable digit wheels are adjusted. Setting keys are used to facilitate this operation. Before a new count is set, the resetting means must be actuated so that the adjustable digit wheels are turned back to the originally set count, e.g., by resetting cams, and held in position. Together with the resetting operation, the setting drive for setting each digit wheel and the transfer clutch are disengaged so that the digit wheels are released and the drive connection is also eliminated. The adjustable digit wheel consists of two parts connected by a detent and is then adjusted in that the part provided with the cam is held in position by the resetting means and the part provided with the digits is rotated under the action of the setting keys and snaps into position.

It is known to prevent an actuation of a setting device by the provision of a movable cover, which is positioned to overlie the setting device and which can be swung out of position only when the resetting means has been actuated. This safety feature can be utilized only if the preset count is introduced with the aid of a separate setting pin, as in a design which has been disclosed. In this case it is a disadvantage that the cover must be swung out of position before a new count can be set. This pivotal movement of the cover beyond the outside dimensions of the counter requires additional space.

It has also been proposed to block the setting keys of setting devices by means of a lock, which is operated to shift a locking device into locking position in the path of the keys. It has further been proposed to provide a U- shaped locking member, which interengages with the setting keys to lock the same when the resetting means has not been actuated, whereas the U-shaped locking member is disengaged from the setting keys to release the same upon actuation of the resetting means. These known designs have the disadvantage that improper operation to depress the keys will apply very high loads to the locking means so that a disturbance in operation or damage may often result.

"ice

These disadvantages are eliminated by the present invention. The setting device provided according to the invention has presettable counters having count-setting keys and resetting means and comprising digit wheels which cannot be adjusted by the keys during the operation of the counter, and is characterized in that the catches of the keys are deflected to prevent their engagement with the teeth of the digit wheels when the setting keys are depressed and the resetting means has not been actuated. In this way, the design according to the invention prevents an engagement by the setting device when the counter is ready for operation whereas the setting keys are not blocked so that damage due to improper operation is precluded.

The spring-loaded catches of the keys engage a disabling bar, which is swung out of position only upon actuation of the resetting means. When the disabling bar has been swung into position, the keys can be actuated without transmitting motion. The resetting means consists of a two-part key, one part of which is manually actuated and acts at the same time to swing the disabling bar out of position, whereas the other key part is electrically actuated by a resetting solenoid without affecting the disabling bar so that additional stresses on the electromechanical arrangement are avoided. During an electrically effected resetting operation the disabling device is not operated so that the set count will not be affected by the electrically effected resetting operation and the operating power requirement of the magnet is reduced. When such presettable counters are used in automatic counting arrangements, a large number of electrically effected resetting operations and only a few manually effected resetting operations for setting new counts are usually required -o that the fact that the disabling bar is operated only in relatively few cases results in a reduced Wear of the functional parts which are involved.

An embodiment of the invention is shown by way of example in the drawings, in which FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of an adjustable counter with a device for disabling the setting device when the counter is ready to count, parts being shown in section.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view showing the arrangement of FIGURE 1, parts being shown in section.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of an adjustable counter as shown in FIG. 1 with the resetting key depressed and the setting key partly depressed, parts being shown in section.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view, inter alia, the twopart reset-ting key during an electromagnetic actuation of the resetting means, parts being shown in section.

FIG. 5 shows a detail of the means for locking the resetting key.

Detailed description of the drawings In FIG. 1, a frame F with a resetting key 1 in its initial, non-actuated position supported in the frame. A disabling bar 3 is mounted on a shaft 2. Under the influence of a spring 4, the disabling bar 3 has been pivotally moved so that a lever 3a carried by said bar engages a transmission lever 5. The transmission lever '5 is pivoted on a pivot pin 7 and under the action of the spring 4 engages a stop 6, which is fixed in the frame. The setting device comprises longitudinally slidable setting keys 8 supported in the frame and projecting outwardly through openings in the top thereof, each of which is operatively associated with a counter. The keys are mounted in a common guide 9 in the frame. A catch 10' is pivoted in each setting key 8 and biased by a return spring 11, which effects at the same time the return movement of the setting key 8. FIG. 1 shows the presettable counter in condition for counting. in this condition, the disabling bar 3 has been swung into the engaging range of the setting device and prevents the catch 10 from engaging the adjustable setting wheel 12. Each setting key 8 is freely movable.

FIG. 2 shows part of the same counting arrangement in a top plan view. The setting wheels 12 and the disabling bar 3 are mounted on the continuous bearing shaft 2. The disabling bar 3 consists of a U-shaped sheet metal member and has an arcuate web in order to occupy a minimum of space between the setting wheels 12 and the setting device. The two limbs of the disabling bar 3 are disposed at opposite ends of the set of setting wheels 12 and are pivotally mounted so that the disabling bar 3 can be pivotally moved about the axis of the setting wheels.

In FIG. 3 the resetting key 1 is shown in actuated position. A driver bar 1a formed on the resetting key 1 has cooperated with the transmission lever 5 to swing the disabling bar 3 from the engaging range of the setting device against the action of the spring 4, which has been stressed. The setting key 812 is partly depressed. The catch pivoted in the setting key engages the stop 8b under the action of the spring 11 and engages also the teeth of the setting wheel 12 to rotate the same to the desired count. By the depression of the resetting key 1, the zerosetting rake 13 has been swung against the zero-setting cam 14 of the digit wheel 15, so that the latter is reset to the initial count and is locked. A ratchet is provided in known manner in the digit wheel between that part which carries the zero-setting cams and that part which carries the digits and teeth. This ratchet permits of a slipping of the setitng wheel relative to the parts which are locked as a result of the resetting operation. The setting wheels 12 mounted on the shaft 2 act only as idlers during this operation as they engage the digit wheels 15 to transmit thereto the setting from the setting device.

FIG. 4 shows the presettable counter in a condition assumed after an electromagnetic resetting means has been actuated.

The upper part of the resetting key 1 is in its initial position and holds the disabling bar 3 in a disabling position between the setting wheel 12 and the catch 10. The lower part 1b of the resetting key has been pulled down by an energized solenoid 16 and has effected the resetting operation. The zero-setting rake has thus been pivotally moved to reset the digit wheels to the initial count. The digit wheels are locked in this position.

FIG. 5 shows an accessory for locking the upper part of the resetting key so as to facilitate the actuation of the setting device. The slidable locking bolt 17 is integrally moulded with a spring 17a, which engages a pin 18 fixed in the frame. When the resetting key 1 has been depressed, the locking bolt 17 can be pushed over the top edge of the driver rib 1a so as to stress the spring 1701 and hold the resetting key 1 in its depressed position. To release this key, the resetting key 1 is depressed to relieve the locking bolt 17, which is now urged back by the spring 17a to release the resetting key.

The advantages afforded by the invention reside mainly in that a disabling device provided according to the invention for setting devices having longitudinally slidable setting keys prevents a detrimental action on the parts as the keys remain freely movable but cannot engage the teeth. Another advantage resides in that the disabling bar is associated only with the manually operable, upper part of a split resetting key so that the disabling device will not be actuated during an electrically effected resetting operation, which is more frequent. As a result, the magnetic power requirement and wear are reduced.

What is claimed is:

1. A setting device in a frame for presettable counters having count-setting keys in said frame with springloaded movable catches and resetting means, said setting device comprising a supporting shaft in the frame, toothed digit wheels supported on the shaft, and a disabling bar mounted on said supporting shaft, said setting device being characterized in that the catches of the keys are deflected by said disabling bar to prevent their engagement with the teeth of the digit wheels when the setting keys are depressed and when the resetting means remains inactive, the resetting means consisting of a two-part key, one part of which is manually actuable whereas the other key part is electrically actuable by a resetting solenoid without affecting the disabling bar so that additional stresses on the electro-mechanical arrangement are avoided, the manually actuable key part being adapted to be locked in its depressed position to enable a setting of the counter, the slidable locking member being snapped into locking position against spring force after an actuation of the manually actuable key part, and being released upon a further depression of said latter key part.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,137,013 11/1938 Bradley 235-132 2,954,925 10/1960 Bliss et a1. 235-132 3,053,441 9/1962 Vroom 235-1 3,122,315 2/ 1964 Krebsozio a- 235-144 3,178,111 4/1965 Auer 235-144 3,231,191 1/1966 Berck 235-132 3,250,467 5/1966 Kiibler 235-132 FOREIGN PATENTS 559,075 7/ 1957 Belgium. 1,364,368 5/ 1964 France.

OTHER REFERENCES German printed applications: No. 1,207,119, December 1965, Irion et al.; No. 1,207,120, December 1965, Irion et al.; No. 1,208,922, January 1966, Hopt.

RICHARD B. WILKINSON, Primary Examiner.

S. A. WAL, Assistant Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R. 

